AXEL

I crept into the room in the middle of the night, just to check up on everyone. Riku and Melody were asleep on the bed, both with their backs to each other. I smiled to myself.

Finally…

I silently closed the door and stepped over Sora… He had decided that the chair wasn't all that comfortable, then I flopped myself on the couch. I took in a deep breath and sighed.

I wonder what Larxene is doing? Can she even be doing anything in darkness? If you fall to darkness…do you really fade away?

I remember falling into darkness very well. After I advised Sora to leave, everything around me faded. I remember me floating in the air for a very long time, then I eventually felt the ground against me again. I sat up and could only see a few feet in front of me, everything else was pure darkness. I'll admit, I was scared. I didn't want to be here. I was alone. Suddenly, though, to my left shined a bright light, almost like a star. I stood up and began to walk towards it. It took me quite a while. Maybe months to a year. Sora had grown a lot since the last I helped him. In any case, before I touched the light, a Voice came to me. It said, 'the only reason why you see this light is because of the goodness in your Heart. You have another chance, you must find the next Keyblade wielder. A girl, by the name of Melody, is in danger. Her Heart is in danger and you must protect her.' I thought I would get cocky and ask, 'and why do I need to find this girl??' A man appeared in front of me; blonde hair, blue eyes and a long cape. 'who are you?' I had asked. 'My name is Ansem the Wise… and you are going to be the guardian of the Purest Heart.' At first I didn't take him seriously and began to babble about how I had better things to do when I got to the light. Then he showed me a small orb that showed this girl sitting down at a table, all alone. He explained to me everything that he knew about her. He also told me that she needed a friend. My Heart fell to this girl. I devoted my new life to Melody before I crossed over into the light. So…that is why I am now here. I had come back from the darkness because of Melody. If it hadn't been for her…I would still be in that horrible place of darkness. I never faded away… hopefully… when you are a Nobody…you don't fade away completely either. I began to fall asleep as the thoughts of Larxene crossed my mind…

MEL

I woke up and rubbed my eyes. I yawned and stretched, grateful that I had woken up today. I noticed that the door was open and Riku was gone.

He must be saying goodbye.

I quickly jumped out of bed and changed myself into my regular clothes. I fixed the bed with my magic…oh how loved that power, and then ran out into the living room. Everything was fixed up nice and neat, as if we had never camped in here. I heard voices come from the front door. I opened it and found the entire group standing around, talking, and laughing.

"Good morning, Princess." Donald said cheerfully.

"Good morning, Donald. How are you?"

"I am great!"

"Good mornin' Melody!" Goofy said.

"Good morning."

"Good morning, Mel." Everyone else said.

I laughed excitedly. I felt special and giddy again.

"Thank you, everyone! Good morning to you as well!" I giggled.

Yuffie ran over to me and gave me a huge hug.

"I'm gonna to miss you!"

"I am going to miss you, too. I'm really sorry I couldn't hang out with you more."

"Aww, it's alright! We can do all sorts of cool Princess and Ninja stuff the next time you come…"

"…Y-yeah…next time."

"I'll teach some of my awesome moves…"

"Okay." I said with a smile.

Leon came over and put a hand on my shoulder.

"Keep and eye on Sora for me will yah? Sometimes he makes stupid decisions." He teased.

"Hey!" Sora whined, " I don't all the time!!"

A huge Heartless stabbed Leon through the Heart and took it out. Leon faded into darkness. Yuffie through ninja stars at the Heartless and then she too, fell to her knees. Cloud tried to protect Tiffa and Aerith, but Sephiroth stood in front of Cloud. They fought all the while Aerith and Tiffa were attacked. Cloud was injured badly, until he could no longer stand on his own. The Heartless took this advantage and stole his Heart as well. King Mickey stood on top of a hill, with his Keyblade in his hands, looking down on Radiant Garden. It was burning and the sky was black. Darkness was falling on this world as well. The doomed Fate of all the worlds.

"How can one Heart……cause this much damage?" King Mickey asked himself.

"Melody? Are you alright?" Leon asked.

I wiped the small beads of sweat from my forehead and then wore a false smile.

"Uh…yeah…I just…wish we weren't leaving so soon."

We have to leave quickly. That vision was what will happen if my Fate takes Sora, Riku, Axel, Donald, and Goofy with it.

"Well…like I said. Take care of them."

"Okay. I will." I smiled.

I will take care of all of you if my plan works.

"You're not going to do anything stupid are you?" My Heart asked.

If that is what it takes to keep all the worlds and everyone I care about safe, then yes.

Aerith and Tiffa came up and said their good-byes, then Cloud came up next. He flipped his hair back with his hand and then studied me for a few seconds.

"You have a big, strong Heart. Don't let Zexion use that against you. That is what makes him such a witty and difficult enemy. Use your Heart to see through his lies and use your power that you have within you. We all have Faith and Hope for you." Then he stepped away.

Cid gave me a huge hug, cracking my spine, and then gave me a huge bowl of Full Stomach Pot. He told me to heat it up while we're traveling. Merlin taught me a few new spells, Blizzaga, Aeroaga, and Gravira. After Yuffie gave me another hug, we all got ready to warp back to the ship.

"Bye! We'll see you soon!" Sora said.

They all waved back.

"Goodbye…" I said, and then I warped.

Soon we got ourselves settled down on the ship and began to make our journey towards my end. Axel, Sora, and Riku talked amongst themselves as Donald and Goofy got ready to leave. I, without anyone noticing, warped to Riku's room and threw myself on his bed.

You see? The goodbye is beginning to grow harder on you.

An unexpected tear rolled down my face as I placed my prized Tiara on Riku's pillow. I quickly warped back to the main deck and looked around. Nobody seemed to notice that I had left. Everyone had their backs to me as they watched Sora drive the gummi ship. Donald and Goofy sat comfortably in their chairs as Axel laughed about something Sora had said.

"Um…everyone?" I suddenly blurted out.

Sora put the ship on autopilot and turned around, everyone else also turned his attention towards me. Riku stepped aside so Sora and Donald could see me. His eyes watched me soft and affectionately.

" I would like to say that I have loved getting to know you all. I believed anything was possible…but I never even imagined that this could happen. I enjoyed all of your quirks and I have also enjoyed this journey with the five of you."

Axel and Sora shot me a confused look as Donald and Goofy caught each other's glance. I lowered my eye to the ground.

"I'm sorry to sound so depressing…but I have a feeling something is about to happen to me… and I want you all to realize how much you all have changed my life. Sora… you have taught me to always find a reason to laugh about something. You taught me to keep my chin up even in the darkest of hours. Donald, you have taught me to never be afraid to voice my opinion, even if many will not agree with it. Axel, you have taught what it means to have a great friend that will go through anything for another friend. Goofy…you have taught me that even if I am clumsy, intuition is still something that I can trust to stabilize myself. A-and Riku…" I said as I looked him straight in the eyes, "You have taught me how to expect the unexpected. You have shown me how even the impossible… the improbable can always be possible when someone is there to hold your hand through it all. You have shown me that greatest amount of care anyone has ever, ever shown. You have shown me what it feels like to be loved by someone who means the worlds to me."

Riku walked over to me and took both of my hands.

"You…" He began, "have shown me…to always listen to my Heart and to not be afraid of the outcome. You have taught me that love is possible for the one who walks in the Twilight. You have shown me that our Hearts and Fate have a way of working things out…"

Sora jumped out of his chair and stepped towards me.

"Mel, you have shown me not to be afraid to look darkness in the face. You have taught me to love everyone and everything! You have taught me to never, ever give up!"

"You have taught me to always look on the brighter side of things and that it's okay to be stubborn." Axel said with a small smile.

"You have taught me to be lenient and that it's alright to just go with the flow sometimes." Donald said.

"Gwarsh, Mel. You have taught me a bunch a' things. The main thing is that it's perfectly fine to be clumsy! Hy-uck!" Goofy said.

Tears came to my eyes again.

"Thank you…" I whispered.

"No, Melody. Thank you. Thank you for believing….if you hadn't…" Riku said looking back at everyone. "Then none of us would have met you. We would never have learned these things."

Everyone nodded his head in agreement.

"I……really feel like this is goodbye." Sora said sadly.

"I'm sure it's nothing but a feeling, Sora." Donald said.

"I say we all trample Melody for the first time so she feels like part of the group! She's never been trampled by us before…" Sora exclaimed.

"Wait a sec…what??"

Sora, Donald, and Goofy all ran up to me and attacked me with a huge hug, sending the four of us to the floor. I laughed uncontrollably as I hugged Donald and then brought Goofy's head against mine. A little 'Aww' sound came from Donald and then I patted Goofy's snout. Sora helped me up and then hugged me tightly. His eyes seemed to fill up with tears.

"Never forget any of this. You can't ever forget the bug pieces of your Heart." He smiled sadly.

Axel suddenly came over to me and scooped me up and twirled me around.

"You've been the perfect, little, stubborn, sister that I never had." Axel said.

I laughed again as he put his forehead to mine.

"Please…never forget us."

"I won't."

Then Axel shoved me into Riku. Riku looked down at me, his eyes seemed weary and sad.

"I'll miss you…more than you would ever know…"

Tears came to my eyes once again as I threw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his muscular chest.

"I don't know how…but I will come back." I whispered.

"H-hey…… we're here…"

Donald and Goofy turned around to face Sora; Sora just looked at me.

"Before we go…can I ask for a group hug?" I said with a smile.

Sora grinned sadly and quickly glomped me, followed by Donald, Axel, Riku, and Goofy. We all laughed despairingly as we all embraced each other.

"Please promise me that you all will take Riku back to Destiny Islands with you. And also promise that if something does happen…don't cry… please."

"We promise…" Everyone promised.

I opened my hand and looked up at Riku. He took it without questions. I then lifted my other hand to Sora; he took it as well.

"Let's warp together."

Axel took Sora's hand and Donald's; Goofy took Donald's. I took in a deep nervous breath.

"A-alright…. Let's go.."

I closed my eyes and touched my magic, I could also feel everyone else's magic passing through me.

When I opened my eyes, we were in the back alley of the Usual Spot in Twilight Town. The sun had begun to set there and the feeling that something bad was to come, grew worse.

"Come on, Mel. I want you to meet Hayner, Pence, and Olette. " Sora said quickly.

"O-okay.."

We all went through the curtain and found Pence, Olette, and Hayner all sitting around eating sea-salt ice cream.

"Hey, it's Sora!" Pence said excitedly.

"Sora!" Olette cried as she gave him a hug.

Pence smiled and waved at Donald and Goofy.

"Hey guys.." But he stopped when his eyes fell on Axel.

He recognized Axel and they both seemed to grow very uncomfortable.

"This is Axel… and don't worry…he's had a change of tide. Also this is my best friend Riku." Then he pointed to me, "This is Princess Melody. She is also a very good friend of mine."

The three of us waved sheepishly.

"Well… I knew we had a reason to buy a few extra ice-cream bars today." Pence said with a grin, "Go ahead everyone. Take one." He pointed to a small nearby cooler.

Everyone smiled at each other and grabbed an ice cream and began to eat it. Everything seemed to be going well. We talked and I began to know the three teens much better than the game could ever show me. They said that they too felt like they knew me, as everyone else I have met has felt, whether or not they said it. We all sat around comfortably, but a sudden feeling in my Heart told me that something was wrong. I stood up and looked back towards the curtain.

"Melody, what's wrong?" Hayner asked.

"Someone is in trouble."

"Help! Anybody?!" A voice screamed.

It sounded like a girl. I ran out through the curtains with everyone close behind me. I had an immediate head-on collision with a girl I did not recognize. She had short, straight, blonde hair that was cut into a strange, uneven bob; she also had greenish brown eyes. She had injuries all over her and tears were running down her face.

"Who are you… and what's going on?" I asked kindly.

"M-my name is Aidley Suzuu. Oh please! I don't know who you are…but somehow I know you can help!" She said hysterically, "My boyfriend, Seifer, is in trouble! A m-man in a black cloak sent me out to find help… he said that if I d-didn't find anyone… he was… he'll…"

"It's alright…" I said hiding my fear. "I understand. Yes… I'll help you…"

"Thank you, thank you, thank you so much!!" She exclaimed.

I helped her up. Her leg was badly injured and so I was her leaning post.

"Melody… it's Seifer though. He's a leader of the bad gang…"

"She's hurt, Hayner, she also said that Seifer is hurt too… I have to help them."

"Seifer is very protective over Aidley… I wonder what happened?" I heard Olette whisper.

"Seifer is not a very nice guy!" Hayner explained.

"It doesn't matter. I can still feel the light in his Heart. It's my responsibility to protect those who have light in their Heart…even if it is a small sample."

"Who did this to you again?" Sora asked.

"I've never seen him before… he has blueish-grey hair and a lot of it is in his face. He also has a black cloak on…"

"Zexion! Melody, I don't like this… I smell a trap." Riku said.

"I know. Here…. Help her… everyone just be quiet and follow me. Seifer is down in the Sandlot."

"How did you..?" Aidley began.

"It's a long explanation that we don't have time for."

Everyone quietly followed me down the alleyways to the Sandlot. I peeked around the corner as we stood in a small entrance way to the Sandlot. Seifer was lying nearby and he was bleeding horribly.

"Melody… this doesn't feel right." Riku whispered.

"I can't just sit here and watch him bleed to death!" I hissed back.

I looked again. Zexion was no where to be seen…but I knew he was waiting.

"Just stay here…" I whispered.

I ignored the worried expressions coming from everyone and turned around to scan the Sandlot area again. Still no sign of Zexion. I quickly darted out to Seifer without even thinking twice.

"Seifer! Seifer!" I hissed.

I skidded across the sand to Seifer's side and shook him gently.

"Come on, Seifer…"

He turned his head and looked up at me weakly.

"Ai-aid…..Aidley…" He whispered. "Where…. Is…she?"

"Come on…. She's fine. She's over here with the rest of my friends."

I put Seifer's arm around my neck and held him up. He had lost a lot of blood… but I didn't want to use my magic. I had to save it for Zexion. I drug him across the Sandlot to where the other's hid. Sora had healed Aidley and as soon as I got to the entrance, she quickly took Seifer into her arms and she sat down with him in her lap.

"Oh Seifer… you're going to be fine…you'll be okay."

Sora quickly healed him and it was then that I noticed Seifer's beanie was still in the sandlot. Seifer looked up at me and said, 'thanks.' I smiled at him and then turned back out to the Sandlot to go get it.

"Mel, wait!" Axel said.

I casually walked out in the open and picked up the hat. The sky had grown much darker as the sun went down and I heard thunder from far away. A storm was coming. As I began to walk back to the entrance I heard a sinister laugh.

Zexion…

I took off towards Riku and the others. I was almost to them when I realized I wasn't going to be able to make it. It really wasn't far at all, maybe ten feet. I continued to run, but I threw that hat to Seifer. As soon as I did I felt myself lift into the air and hot electrical currents shot through my body. I couldn't move anything. I couldn't stop it. I was slung across the Sandlot.

"Intending to run?" Zexion asked with a laugh.

I carefully stood up and saw Zexion floating a few yards away in front of me. His cloak and hair swayed in the breeze.

"Melody!" Riku shouted.

Riku ran toward us with his Keyblade out ready to fight, but with a flick of Zexion's hand, Riku was slammed into the nearest wall and then was sent flying to the ground just behind the entrance to the Sandlot.

"Sorry… but this battle is between Princess Melody…. and I." Zexion said with a wry smile.

"Riku!" I gasped.

A wall of glass melted upwards, sealing Riku and the others away from me. The Sandlot was now Zexy's playpen.

"Did I not tell you that you would be watching her Fate behind glass??" He cackled.

Sora ran over to Riku, who gradually stood up. I angrily touched my magic and shot an explosion of Dark Aura at Zexion. There was something new inside of me. A new power that I had never felt before. The Dark Aura was not the same as what Riku had taught me. It wasn't dark magic at all, it was light magic. It was Light Aura. Nonetheless, Zexy was caught unexpected by this sudden blow of power and was knocked off his feet. I used that opportunity to warp over the glass, but I did not succeed. Instead, I was electrocuted by some dark electrical force. I fell out of my warp and fell to the ground hard. I just a foot away from me, was the force field of glass. I slowly stood up as I watched Riku limp towards me. He lifted his hand and touched the glass. Not even two feet away, Riku stood, and there was no way for me to reach him.

So… it is now the beginning of my end…